Israel/Palestine: Digging in, Hamas believes time is on its side
A Middle East analyst suggests that Hamas’s military wing calculates that world opinion and mounting Israeli frustration will ultimately work to their advantage. Even though Hamas underestimated the resilience of the Israel home front, military capabilities and intelligence they are determined to see their mission through. Hamas forces are still standing and they are still standing by demands they issued on the second day of conflict, with no signs of flexibility. Historically Hamas is a socio-political organization with an associated paramilitary force, its roots are in the Muslim Brotherhood which has been active in the Gaza strip since 1950’s.The name Hamas is an acronym of Harakat al-Muqāwama al-Islāmiyya meaning ‘Islamic Resistance Movement’
Swedish, Polish Christian medics fired for refusing abortions
A Christian nurse is taking legal action against the Swedish government after she was fired for refusing to perform abortions. A doctor in Poland, who was dismissed on similar grounds, is considering an appeal. Ellinor Grimmark said an employment offer at a hospital in Eksjo, southern Sweden, was suddenly scrapped though she had successfully completed an internship. The Ombudsman claimed the county council had refused her the position ‘not because of her religion, but because she was not prepared to perform duties that were part of the job description’. It comes amid reports of growing pressure on Christian medical personnel across Europe. On Friday, 9 July, news emerged that Professor Bogdan Chazan, viewed as one of Poland's top doctors, is considering an appeal after he was fired as director at Warsaw's Holy Family Hospital for his refusal to carry out an abortion.
Euthanasia: Don’t make our mistake, says Dutch academic
A Dutch academic who supported legalising euthanasia in the Netherlands has urged Westminster not to introduce assisted suicide, ahead of a debate in the House of Lords. Theo Boer, who has been part of a committee monitoring euthanasia cases since 2005, said the number of such deaths in the Netherlands has soared since the legalisation of euthanasia in 2002. Boer has reviewed close to 4,000 euthanasia cases and said: ‘Euthanasia is on the way to becoming a ‘default’ mode of dying for cancer patients'. Cases have been reported in which a large part of the suffering of those given euthanasia or assisted suicide consisted in being aged, lonely or bereaved'. He said: ‘I used to be a supporter of the Dutch law. But now, with twelve years of experience, I take a very different view’. (See also GB&I section - item 1 and World section - item 6)
Swedish, Polish Christian medics fired for refusing abortions
A Christian nurse is taking legal action against the Swedish government after she was fired for refusing to perform abortions. A doctor in Poland, who was dismissed on similar grounds, is considering an appeal. Ellinor Grimmark said an employment offer at a hospital in Eksjo, southern Sweden, was suddenly scrapped though she had successfully completed an internship. The Ombudsman claimed the county council had refused her the position ‘not because of her religion, but because she was not prepared to perform duties that were part of the job description’. It comes amid reports of growing pressure on Christian medical personnel across Europe. On Friday, 9 July, news emerged that Professor Bogdan Chazan, viewed as one of Poland's top doctors, is considering an appeal after he was fired as director at Warsaw's Holy Family Hospital for his refusal to carry out an abortion.
